Best Places To People Watch In Atlanta

When it’s time to tour a little people scenery, you need a place to sit back, prop your feet up and just enjoy the view. Around Atlanta, nothing beats these locations for the coolest crowds and most interesting individuals.

Jaunt off to The Ritz-Carlton, Buckhead to have tea, cocktails or dine in its lovely Lobby Lounge. Listen to live entertainment, watch mommy/daughter teas and gentlemen at their dinnertime bests. It’s all pomp, regal meals, dainty, delicious sandwiches and some of the most interesting characters in town. The best time to visit is Thursday to Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. for sushi and specialty cocktails.

The Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta has done a great job making its terminal feel like a day at the mall with pals. With lots of shops and local restaurants, anyone has an excuse to visit, but the most interesting activity is people watching. At the busiest airport in the world, spend the day watching soldier’s loving reunions with family members and panicked families trying to make that connecting flight to see Mickey Mouse at Disney World for the first time. Count languages to see how many countries you can encounter in an hour.

It you know the area of Little Five points, you’re well aware that this has to be the number one place to people watch in the Atlanta area. When you want to sit back and enjoy the view, this area of town never lets you down. Just pick one of the many dining spots with outdoor seating and have a bite to eat. Passers-by offer flavors suburbia just can’t. Be sure to browse this funky alternative destination for its wonderful shopping opportunities as well. The location is easy to get to from most any part of the Atlanta Metro Area. Grab a burger at The Vortex before you leave Little Five Points.

Hours: 6 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Price: $15 a day parkingIf you want beauty while you people watch, Piedmont Park is your place. The park recently connected to the Botanical Gardens as well, so there are plenty of opportunity to watch nature lovers in their element. Expect a slew of wild and woolly dogs as this is the top place Atlanta dogs to play as well. Take a picnic and enjoy a day of families playing fetch with their pets, cycling through the park and picnicking right alongside you.

Some of the best luxury shopping in the south is at Phipps Plaza, and along with it comes an interesting array of luxury shoppers . Among them are stars famous for their music, their acting or their arrests. Some of the wealthiest faces in the city stroll this mall to find the perfect ensemble for their next big charity event. If shopping is not on your list of things to do today, watch movies upstairs for a break from the action. This mall is close to fantastic people watching at Lenox Mall as well.

Head to CBS Atlanta’s Best Of page for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!

Ava Roxanne Stritt is a travel writer and blogger from Atlanta with more than 20,000 Twitter followers. She is a luxury hospitality, spa and skincare industry consultant, as well as a writer, financial analyst, and a wife and mother. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.